Alta Loma School District to Install Solar Panels

The Alta Loma School District has embarked on a partnership with PFMG Solar, LLC, to bring solar power to all 10 of the district’s schools and the District Support Center, and potentially save the district an estimated $8-9 million over the next 25 years.

The 1.97-megawatt solar system will offset 73 percent of the energy used by the district, reducing ALSD’s electricity costs and consumption from Southern California Edison, said Paul Mikos, president of PFMG Solar.

“It’s critical that we set a responsible example for our students and the community by conserving energy, reducing pollution and protecting our environment,” said ALSD Superintendent James Moore. “We’re also looking out for our financial future as well.”

Mikos said the environmental benefits of the project are equivalent to taking approximately 3,450 cars off the road or planting 29,400 trees.

PFMG Solar will design, finance, build and operate the system through a 25-year power purchase agreement that enables the school district to convert to solar power with no upfront costs or tax dollars. Third party ownership of the system will allow ALSD to realize immediate savings and better predict and manage future energy costs.

While the project is currently in the design and engineering phase, photovoltaic panels are expected to be installed on new shade structures and covered carports. Construction is expected to begin in the winter and to be completed by spring 2016.

“We are always pleased to work with a school district like Alta Loma that puts its kids first,” Mikos said.

Based in Huntington Beach, Calif., PFMG Solar provides turnkey solar solutions to its clients by utilizing a combination of engineering expertise, private investor financing, and federal and state subsidies.

In 2010, the company completed the largest operational school solar system in Southern California, a 9.6 MW project across 10 schools in the Antelope Valley Union High School District. The company has also completed more than 45 MWs of projects for the County of Orange, as well as other multi-campus school districts in Los Angeles County, including Redondo Beach Unified School District, Palmdale, William S. Hart, Wilsona, and Hughes-Elizabeth Lake. Additionally, the company is under contract to develop another 12 MWs of projects for Chaffey Joint Union High School District, San Gabriel Unified School District and Central School District.

The Alta Loma School District provides education to more than 5,900 achieving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With 270 teachers and administrative staff and an additional 400 support staff, the district operates eight elementary schools (pre-kindergarten through sixth grade) and two middle schools (grades 7 and 8). The ALSD encompasses about 25 square miles in the northern part of the City of Rancho Cucamonga and adjoining unincorporated areas.